The Great Sacrifice
By SWEATS
Te Komititanga Plaza
Commercial Bay
SPONSORED BY
ABOUT THE SCULPTURE
Inspired by the Māori legend of how the Kiwi lost its wings, the popping bold palette reflects the bright colours the bird once had and serves as a reminder of the need to preserve and protect. The face and skeleton depicted on each side aims to juxtapose the feelings around the Kiwi: In awe of its beauty and significant importance as a cultural icon of Aotearoa, and on the flipside in despair that this national treasure is endangered. The fluid tongue is in kōrero of these emotions and pressing issues. It wraps around its beak like caution tape and protection, a reminder of the past and a warning for the future.
The story behind
The Great Sacrifice
MEET THE ARTIST
SWEATS
SWEATS is the art and creative studio of Pierre Hadlow. His work explores the multifaceted nature of the human experience, tapping into an explosion of senses while retaining a playful naivety. Within this SWEATS creates bold contrasts and highlights different aspects of feeling and emotion to engage intrigue and connection.
SWEATS methods stem from a diverse range of influences and creative approaches. He uses an assortment of gestural mark marking, blending techniques and materials, utilising found objects and paint gadgets to explore colour and form. Shifting between screen, street and studio, SWEATS creates recurring styles of popping palettes and striking stencil features, using spontaneity and dynamic movement to build textural layers.